Jeremías 23:1-8

El Rey justo

1 «¡Ay de los pastores que destruyen y dispersan el rebaño de mis praderas!», afirma el SEÑOR.

2 Por eso, así dice el SEÑOR, el Dios de Israel, a los pastores que apacientan a mi pueblo: «Ustedes han dispersado a mis ovejas; las han expulsado y no se han encargado de ellas. Pues bien, yo me encargaré de castigarlos a ustedes por sus malas acciones —afirma el SEÑOR—.

3 Al resto de mis ovejas yo mismo las reuniré de todos los países adonde las expulsé; y las haré volver a sus pastos, donde crecerán y se multiplicarán.

4 Pondré sobre ellas pastores que las pastorearán, y ya no temerán ni se espantarán, ni faltará ninguna de ellas —afirma el SEÑOR—.

5 »Vienen días —afirma el SEÑOR—,en que de la simiente de Davidharé surgir un vástago justo;él reinará con sabiduría en el país,y practicará el derecho y la justicia.

6 En esos días Judá será salvada,Israel morará seguro.Y este es el nombre que se le dará:“El SEÑOR es nuestra salvación”.

7 »Por eso —afirma el SEÑOR— vienen días en que ya no se dirá: “Por la vida del SEÑOR, que hizo salir a los israelitas de la tierra de Egipto”,

8 sino: “Por la vida del SEÑOR, que hizo salir a los descendientes de la familia de Israel, y los hizo llegar del país del norte, y de todos los países adonde los había expulsado”. Y habitarán en su propia tierra».

Jeremías 23:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 23

This chapter contains threatenings to the Jewish governors, and to their priests and prophets, on account of their manifold sins; intermixed with gracious promises to the Lord's people, and particularly with a famous promise of the Messiah. The pastors or governors of Israel are charged with scattering and driving away the Lord's flock, for which they are threatened, Jer 23:1,2; and a promise is made of the gathering of the remnant of them, and of setting up other shepherds over them, under whom they should increase, and be comfortable, Jer 23:3,4; particularly the Messiah is promised; as David's righteous Branch; as a prosperous and righteous King; as the author of righteousness to his people, under whom they should have salvation and safety, Jer 23:5,6; so that in comparison of this salvation, the deliverance out of Egypt should not be spoken of, Jer 23:7,8; and then follows a sad complaint of the priests and prophets; of their profaneness, their adultery, swearing, lying, hypocrisy, and deception of the people; for all which they are severely threatened, Jer 23:9-15; wherefore the people are exhorted not to hearken to them, promising them peace and safety; whereas, by attending to the word of God, it might easily be seen that a storm of wrath was gone forth, and was ready to break, and would fall upon the head of the wicked, to the executing of the thoughts and purposes of God's heart, Jer 23:16-20; and the Lord declares he had not sent these prophets, as might be known from their not turning the people from their evil ways, Jer 23:21,22; whose conduct and behaviour could not be hid from the sight of the Lord, nor their prophecies from his ears, which were no other than dreams, and the deceits of their own hearts; and there was as great a difference between them and the word of the Lord, as between chaff and wheat; seeing his word in his hand is of great virtue and efficacy, whereas there was none in theirs, Jer 23:23-29; wherefore the Lord declares himself to be against these prophets, for stealing his word from their neighbour; for making use of his name, when they were not sent by him; and for causing the people to err by their lies, Jer 23:30-32; and both people, priest, and prophet, are severely threatened for jeering and scoffing at the word of the Lord, calling it the burden of the Lord; which phrase they are forbid to use in a sneering way; and should they persist in it, they are told that God would forsake and forget them, and cast them out, and everlastingly punish them, Jer 23:39,40.